At least a half-dozen Panthers slipped and went to the ground Tuesday on the team’s saturated practice field.

Despite little rainfall in the area in recent days, Rivera saw “a couple big slips” from his players. Tight end Mike McNeill slipped on a pass intended for him and tackle Nate Chandler slipped on a block and stayed on the ground briefly. Center Jared Wheeler, linebacker Denicos Allen, Benwikere and first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin also slipped.

“You hold your breath every time you see a guy go to the ground, believe me,” Rivera said. “The ground has taken a lot of water.”

But switching to the turf field wasn’t an option for the Panthers. Rivera estimated the turf is 10 degrees warmer and it’s not without its inherent problems.

“We’re at the point where you don’t want to stress the knees and ankles,” Rivera said. “We do have to be careful.”